Container cleaning apparatus



Sept. 18, 1956 J. c. BLAKE El AL CONTAINER CLEANING APPARATUS 1o sheets-sheet 1 Filed March 25, 1952 I NVENTORS 4 JAMES C. BLAKE EMM7T.E DEAD) JOHN R. HAS/(E BY W ATTORNEY Sept. 18, 1956 J. c. BLAKE EIAL CONTAINER CLEANING APPARATUS l0 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 25, 1952 .wm. mm m NNN wmw QWN Nmw mwm Q w m9 ND,

N NR NN INVENTORS JAMES C. BAA/1'6 MM7T EJ715142) WM Mm TU/IN 5. H143 E y/w ATTORNEY Sept. 18, 1956 J. c. BLAKE ETAL CONTAINER CLEANING APPARATUS 1o sheet s sheet 5 Filed March 25, 1952 INVENTORS JZMES cam/1f E/YMETT #10540) JD/IN R. HAS/1E BY W Sept. 18, 1956 J. c. BLAKE ETAL 2,763,274

7 CONTAINER CLEANING APPARATUS Filed March 25, 1952 10 Sheets-Sheet 4 P 13, 1956 J. c. BLAKE arm. 2,763,274

CONTAINER CLEANING APPARATUS Filed March 25, 1952 1o Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTORS JAMES C. BLAKE [MMETT DEAD) JOHN B. HAS/TE Sept. 18, 1956 J.. c. BLAKE ETAL CONTAINER CLEANING APPARATUS lO Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed March 25, 1952 l l flllll J10 J96 1.9% 5 192 70 /1 0l 506 ATTORNEY Sept. 18, 1956 J. c. BLAKE ET m.

CONTAINER CLEANING APPARATUS Filed March 25, 1952 l0 Sheets-Sheet 8 INVENTORS JAMES Cam/1a i EMMETTEDEADY BY 6m ATTORNEY p 13, 1956 J. c. BLAKE ETAL CONTAINER CLEANING APPARATUS 1o sneaks-sheet 9 Filed March 25, 1952 INVEN TORS F'ZO.

0 5 5 m ll r hmlil IIAEFIIV JAMES C. BLAKE [MMETT F DEAD) ATTORNEY p 8, 1956 J. c. BLAKE ETAL CONTAINER CLEANING APPARATUS l0 Sheets-Sheet 10 Filed March 25, 1952 J Y a f r E U 9 a M H 2% 6 MM? u 2 5 Z WLAM m 2 4 5 M 5 6 E w .H J J 8 UWWHH I ST w, w 5N J E w J 2 2 ||1|l y U- 1 m Pi l L vii. AM W H 6 4 4 d J w 5 a 5 g a 6 6 6 I 7 6 a 5 6 J 5 5 5 3 5 1 0 m 5 J w 3 .r 2 E at m w 6 8. w J H j F United States Patent CONTAINER CLEAN ING APPARATUS James. C. Blake, Alexandria, and: Emmett F. Deady, Arlington, Va, and John R. Haske, Washington, D. C., assignors to the United States of America as represented by the, Secretary of the Army Application March 25, 1952, Serial No. 278,414

31 Claims. (Cl. 134-52) The. present invention, relates to fluid pressure. operated container cleaning apparatus and more particularly to an. improved apparatus in which the fluid pressure. gen erated thereby is utilized alternately to spray containers to bev cleaned or to generate suctionfor evacuating flushed containers and to improved mechanisms for use in such apparatus.

Containers of various sizes and shapes have been de: veloped for use in the distribution of liquids, such as petroleum products, among which are at least two con-- tainers, designed particularly for the distribution of petroleum products by the Armed Forces in the field. These latter containers include one of 5 gallon capacity and of. generally rectangular shape and a 55 gallon drum. The 5 gallon container is a counterpart of a German original, and thus is frequently known as a Jerry can. It, will be so designated hereinafter. Because these containers, and those used in the commercial distribution of petroleum products, frequently become contaminated with foreign materials, machines. have heretofore been developed for the purpose of cleaning or reconditioning: the. same by flushing or spraying the interior thereof with cleaning fluid under pressure.

The disadvantages of these prior machines, particu l'arly from the standpoint of their adaptability for use by the Armed Forces are several. For example, these prior machines generally are too large or unwieldy in construction to be transported upon the trucks or trailers used by the Armed Forces inthe field or to be conveniently loaded or unloaded which frequently is necessary. The relativelycomplicated construction and operation common to these machines would make them subject tofrequent breakdown and malfunctioning if subject to the rough treatment that such devices are bound toreceive when used by the Armed Forces in the field, and for this reason they would require experienced operators to operate and maintain. Moreover, such machines may require quantities of cleaning fluid not readily available in the field and the machine may be designed to clean. only one type of container, whereas, one machine for cleaning,

both types of containers most frequently used by the.

Armed Forces in the field is desirable. However, in addition to the above-mentioned disadvantages of the prior container cleaning machines from the standpoint of their adaptability for use by the Armed Forces, these prior machines are not very successful. in removing the foreign materials. which frequently are found in. Jerry cans and 5.5 gallon drums after use by the Armed; Forces in the field, such as sand, grit and other settleable materials.

These materials are hard to remove completely. by. flushing or spraying a container in the manner hereto; fore practiced because of the fact that such materials tend to settle in the lowermost region of the container which is. being cleaned. As a result, flushing of, Ierrycans. and, similar containers even while they are supported ice in inverted position so that the flushing fluid sprayed therein, drains gravitationally through the filling opening in the upper end of the container does not necessarily remove all of the sand or grit because the filling opening in this. type of can and many other containers is defined by a collar projecting inwardly of the top end or head of the can.

This collar forms an internal lip around the filling opening preventing a portion of the cleaning fluid in the container from draining out of the same even when, the container is tilted or inverted. This residual portion of the fluid naturally collects in the region of the container which is lowermost. If sand or grit, was present in the container before flushing, it, also tends to settle in the lowermost region, of thev container with the residual portion of the cleaning fluid. The application of suction to this region; of the container therefore is desirable not only to remove thev residual cleaning fluid therein, but also to remove any sand or grit trapped therein.

Sand, or grit present in 55 gallon drums or like containers which commonly are cleaned in upright position likewise. tends. to. collect at the lowermost region of the container when the fluid in the container is free of agitation. However, when the fluid present in the container is; agitated, sand, grit and other settleable foreign materials go into suspension. For this reason it is desirable to withdraw from a container flushed in upright position at least part of the cleaning fluid sprayed therein at the same time the container is being flushed because the fluid then present in the container is in an agitated state and thus at least some of the suspended foreign materials will be withdrawn with the fluid. In addition, undue rise in the level of the spraying liquid in the container is prevented so that a maximum area of its internal walls is subjected to a spray of cleaning fluid and thus foreign material clinging thereto is more likely to be dislodged. However, provision must also be made for withdrawing the residual fluid in the container when flushing is discontinued.

In accordance with the present invention a single cleaning apparatus is provided to clean. containers such as Jerry" cans while they are supported in inverted position and to clean other containers such as 55 gallon drums While they are in normal upright position. The mechanism for cleaning Jerry cans includes means to provide for the application of fluid under pressure either to flush the can to be cleaned or to generate suction under the complete control of an operator. Moreover, mechanism is provided for shifting the Jerry cans between a position at which they drain substantially completely gravitationally when sprayed with cleaning fluid and a position at which a lowermost region is established therein defining a fluid collecting pocket. Provision is made for applying the fluid under pressure to flush the can being cleaned. as a consequence of the can being shifted to.- the first-mentioned position and for applying suction to the. pocket as. a consequence of the can being tilted so that any residual cleaning fluid in the pocket along with sand and grit settled therein will be sucked out of the can. Mechanism is also provided for directing all of the spent fluid back to a source. so that no fluid is lost, and it is strained partially to purify the same before its reuse.

The operator likewise has complete control over the application of fluid under. pressure or suction to 55 gallon drums or like containers during cleaning of the same by virtue of the mechanism provided in the device of the present invention. Since these containers are cleaned in upright position, a nozzle is provided which is freely movable for insertion into and removal from a container to be cleaned which nozzlev provides for the simultaneous application of fluid under pressure and suction to the container being cleaned in proportions under the complete control of the operator. As a result cleaning fluid is withdrawn while it is turbulent so that foreign materials are more likely to be in suspension therein, and the level of the liquid in the container being cleaned is prevented from rising unduly. Provision is also made for applying suction alone to the container as a final step in a cleaning operation so that cleaning fluid may be completely withdrawn from the same.

Accordingly, an object of the invention is to provide a new and improved container cleaning machine particularly adaptable for use by the Armed Forces in the field.

Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved container cleaning machine which is adaptable for use in cleaning the so-called gallon Jerry cans extensively used by the Armed Forces and other containers also used by the Armed Forces, such as 55 gallon drums.

A further object of the invention is to provide a container cleaning machine including new and improved mechanism selectively to spray containers to be cleaned with cleaning fluid under pressure or to generate suction in response to the application of cleaning fluid under pressure thereto which suction is applied to flushed containers completely to evacuate the cleaning fluid from the same as the final step in a cleaning operation.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a new and improved container cleaning machine which is capable of simultaneously operating on a plurality of containers and in which the duration of the periods of flushing and evacuation of each of the containers may be individually controlled by the operator of the machine.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved container cleaning machine including a plurality of independent cleaning stations operated from a single source of fluid under pressure and capable of being individually and selectively rendered efiective to flush or evacuate the containers.

A further object of the invention is to provide a new and improved container cleaning machine including a tank to hold a supply of cleanning fluid when the machine is in use which tank provides space for storing the readily remountable elements of the machine when it is not in use so that the machine may be compactly packed for storage or transportation.

Another object of the invention is to provide a machine for cleaning containers having a filling aperture in one end thereof by flushing the same with cleaning fluid embodying a new and improved container support automatically to position a container in operative flushing relation with a fluid spraying and evacuating nozzle which support is movable between a position at which flushing fluid will drain substantially completely gravitationally from the supported container and a position at which a fluid collecting pocket is established in the supported container into which the nozzle projects along with mechanism rendered operative to apply suction to the supported container when the support is moved to the last-mentioned position and to apply fluid under pressure to the nozzle when the support is moved to the first-mentioned position.

A further object of the invention is to provide a container cleaning machine having a new and improved means for supporting a container to be flushed in operative relation with a fluid discharging and evacuating nozzle including means for collecting the spent cleaning fluid and returning the same to the source of supply of fluid. A still further object of the invention is to provide a container cleaning machine as set forth in the preceding object which includes means for at least partially purifying the spent cleaning fluid before it is returned to the source so that the fluid may be used over and over and the need for a large supply thereof is thus eliminated.

. A more general object of the invention is to provide a new and improved container cleaning machine which is relatively simple in construction and has a minimum number of relatively simple moving and fixed parts when compared to known container cleaning machines so that it may be built sufficiently sturdy to withstand use by the Armed Forces in the field, and which is relatively inexpensive to construct and maintain and has the further advantage of being simple to operate so that little experience is required to operate and maintain the same.

A more specific object of the invention is the provision of a new and improved valve mechanism for controlling the flow of fluid under pressure.

Another specific object of the invention is the provision of a new and improved mechanism selectively operable to deliver fluid under pressure or suction in response to the application thereto of fluid under pressure.

A further specific object of the invention is to provide a new and improved mechanism for use in a container cleaning machine including a fluid spraying and evacuating nozzle and means rigidly to support a container to be cleaned in operative flushing and evacuating relation with the nozzle.

Another specific object of the invention is to provide a new and improved container supporting device for a container cleaning machine in which the container is yieldingly biased into operative relation with a flushing and evacuating nozzle so that containers may be readily mounted on the supporting device or removed therefrom.

Still another specific object of the invention is to provide a new and improved device for supporting a container having a filling aperture in one end thereof in operative relation with a spraying nozzle and with the apertured end downturned so that the container drains substantially completely gravitationally.

A further specific object of the invention is to provide a new and improved supporting device of the type specified in the preceding object which includes means for collecting the spent cleaning fluid and delivering the same to a predetermined collecting region.

While the mechanism included in the improved container cleaning machine is briefly set forth above in general terms, one embodiment of an apparatus for cleaning both Jerry cans and 55 gallon drums or like containers is described below. Objects, advantages and capabilities of the invention other than those set forth above will also become apparent from this description in which reference is had to the accompanying drawings wherein:

Fig. 1 is a schematic top plan view of the improved apparatus of the present invention with the Jerry can positioning and supporting cradles omitted showing a preferred orientation of duplicate cleaning units for one man operation;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view on an enlarged scale of onev of the units disclosed in Fig. 1 with parts broken away,v

better to show the construction of the unit;

Fig. 3 is a view of the left end of the cleaning unit shown in Fig. 2 on a still larger scale;

Fig. 4 is a view of the rear or operators side of one of the Jerry can cleaning devices forming part of the improved cleaning apparatus of the present invention;

Fig. 5 is a view of one of the individual Jerry can cleaning devices shown in Fig. 4 showing the parts partly in elevation and partly in section at flushing or spraying position;

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 5 but showing the con tainer cleaning device at evacuating position;

Fig. 7 is a sectional view on the line 7-7 of Fig. 11; Fig. 8 is an axial sectional view of the device disclosed in Fig. 4 generally on the plane of the line 8-8 on Fig. 5 with the greater port-ion of the container positioning means or cradle broken away more clearly to disclose its structure;

Fig. 9 is a top plan view of the device disclosed in Fig. 4 with the container positioning means removed;

I Fig. 10 is a side elevational view of the fluid discharging and evacuating nozzle used on the Jerry can cleaning device;

Fig. 11 is a top plan view of a rockable valve member forming part of the valve mechanism in 3. Jerry can cleaning device for controlling the application of fluid under pressure and suction to a container being cleaned;

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary view showing a stop means for limiting rocking movement of the valve member disclosed in Fig. 11;

Fig. 13 is a vertical sectional view on the plane of the line 13-13 on Fig. 9 with the rockable valve member at container evacuating position rather than at flushing position as shown in Fig. '9;

Fig. 14 is a view of the inner side of a valve plate forming part of the valve mechanism of the Jerry can cleaning devices;

Fig. 15 is a vertical sectional view on the plane of the line 15--15 on Fig. 14;

Fig. 16 is a side elevational view of a venturi tube which forms part of the container evacuating mechanism in the Jerry can cleaning device disclosed in Fig. 4;

Fig. 17 is a diametrical sectional view of the venturi tube on the plane of the line 17-47 on Fig. 16;

Fig. 18 is a view partly in vertical transverse section and partly in side elevation showing a nozzle for cleaning 55 gallon drums or like containers in operative position in a representative drum;

Fig. 19 is a fragmentary elevational view of the nozzle shown in Fig. 18 on an enlarged scale and partly in section;

Fig. 20 is a vertical transverse sectional view on the plane of the line 26-20 on Fig. 22;

Fig. 21 is a fragmentary top plan view of one of the cleaning units in the apparatus of the present invention on an enlarged scale and omitting the Jerry can cleaning devices disclosed in Fig. 4;

Fig. 22 is a view of the apparatus disclosed in Fig. 21 partly in section and partly in side elevation;

Fig. 23 is a fragmentary side elevational view on an enlarged scale of a float valve forming part of the apparatus of the present invention; and

Fig. 24 is a fragmentary top plan view of the float valve disclosed in Fig. 23.

General description in a preferred operational setup of the apparatus of the present invention disclosed in Fig. 1, duplicate reversely complementary cleaning units 30 and 32 are pro vided including duplicate tanks 34 and 36 which form reservoirs for cleaning fluid. A pump 38 draws fluid from these tanks through branch conduits 40 and 42, a Y connection 44 and an inlet conduit 46 and discharges fluid under pressure through independent outlet conduits 48 and 50 that supply the fluid through T connections 52 and 54 respectively alternately to duplicate manifolds 56 and 58 respectively or duplicate branch connections 60 and 62 respectively.

The apparatus for cleaning Jerry cans and similar containers comprises a plurality of duplicate supporting and fluid flow controlling devices mounted upon the tanks 34 and 36 and indicated in their entirety by the member '64 (Fig. 2). Each of these devices includes a container positioning means or cradle 66 (Figs. 4 and 5), a fluid discharging and evacuating nozzle 68, a valve mechanism 71 in constant communication with the manifold in the unit 30 or 32 of which it happens to be a part and a fluid operated suction generating means 72 (Fig. 8). The cradle 66 which is mounted upon a movable part of the valve mechanism 79 is designed rigidly to position a Jerry can or similar container 74 (Fig. 5) in operative relation with the nozzle 68 and to maintain the can at this position when the movable part of the valve mechanism is moved to carry the supported container between a flushing position (Fig. 5) at which substantially complete gravitational draining thereof is facilitated and an 6. evacuating position at which the can is tilted to establish a lowermost region in one portion thereof defining a fluid collecting pocket 76 as indicated in Fig. 6.

The valve mechanism 70 controls a plurality of ports rendered effective to direct fluid under pressure to the nozzle 68 in response to the movement imparted to the movable part of valve mechanism 70 when a supported container is moved to flushing position. These ports and passages cooperate to direct fluid under pressure into operative relation with the suction generating means 72 and to apply the suction generated thereby to the nozzle 68 when a supported container is moved to the evacuating position.

When a container 74 is being flushed, the fluid under pressure sprayed into the same drains substantially completely gravitationally into the cradle 66. The latter empties into the valve mechanism 70 which directs the fluid received thereby back to the tank upon which the valve mechanism is mounted. Suction generated when the cradle is in the its secondmentioned position is applied to the tip of the nozzle 68 which projects into the fluid collecting pocket 76 in the supported container so that residual cleaning fluid and foreign material are sucked out of this pocket.

For cleaning 55 gallon drums or other containers which are cleaned in an upright position because they might be awkward to place on a container support such as that previously described due to their weight and bulk, duplicate elongated fluid discharging and evacuating nozzles 78 and 80 (Fig. 1) are provided, each having noncommunicating suction and pressure passageways. With reference to nozzle 80 which will be described generally by way of example, fluid under pressure is admitted to the pressure passage in this nozzle from the branch 62 through a flexible conduit 82 connected at opposite ends to the inlet end of the pressure passage in the nozzle 80 and to one elbow '84 of a double elbow connection '86 receiving fluid under pressure from branch 62. A second flexible conduit 88 connects the suction passage in nozzle 80 to the suction throat of an ejector 90 which has an inlet receiving fluid under pressure from branch 62 through a second elbow 92 on double elbow connection 86 and has an outlet 94 connected to discharge into tank 36.

Thus when fluid under pressure is directed into branch 62, part of it will flow into conduit 82 and be sprayed against the inner side of the walls of the container in which the nozzle 80 is inserted; for example, container 96 (Fig. 18) while another part flows through the ejector 90 back to the tank 36. The suction which consequently is generated by ejector 90 is applied to the container 96 at the same time that it is being sprayed with cleaning fluid under pressure. Provision is made for controlling the volume of fluid flowing to the pressure side of the nozzle 80 and thus indirectly also controlling the volume of fluid flowing through the ejector 90 and the resultant suction generated thereby.

Tank construction Since the tanks 34 and 36 are of duplicate construction, only tank 36 will be described in detail. Referring to Figs. 2 and 20, it will be seen that this tank comprises an elongated box-like structure of generally rectangular shape in transverse section. It has walls of heavy sheet material or light plate including a top wall 98, and a bottom wall inclined slightly towards a removable drain plug therein, (not shown) of conventional construction, through which the tank may be emptied of cleaning fluid.

This tank is reinforced against Warping or twisting by a channel 100 fixed to its bottom side along the longitudinal centerline thereof, and a pair of longitudinally extending I beams 102 adjacent the lateral edges of the tank which form a base for the same. They may be formed at their opposite ends like runners to provide skids upon which the tank 36 may be slidably transported over short distances; for example, when its position is being adjusted at a place of use. Reinforcement for the top wall is provided by a longitudinal channel 104 fixed to the underside thereof. Transverse reinforcement for the tank is provided by a transverse partition 106 (Fig. 22) dividing the tank into freely intercommunicating relatively small and relatively large compartments 108 and 110 respectively (Fig. 2).

Longitudinally extending hand rails 112 are provided on each side of the tank 36 to facilitate handling thereof. These hand rails may be formed from pipe of suitable dimensions held in parallel relation to the sides of the tank by transverse branches 114 anchored to the skids 102. Front and rear handles or bails 116 (Figs. 2 and 3) of pipe which are also connected to the skids 102 by any suitable means including spacers 118 between the skids, facilitate handling of the tank and make possible stacking of the tanks one upon the other after the cradles 66 have been removed therefrom in a manner to be described.

Access to the two compartments in the interior of the tank 36 is had through openings in the top wall 98 thereof, which openings may be closed by hatches 120 (Fig. 2) hinged to the top wall by hinges 122. Suitable cooperating splash guards 124 (Fig. are provided on the underside of the top 98 and the hatches 120 to guard against the accidental escape of fluid from the tank or the entry of foreign material therein, and the hatches may be provided with suitable fasteners 126 (Fig. 2) releasably to lock the same in closed position.

The manifold 58 which extends the full length of the tank 36, is fixed to the top wall 98 thereof by means of a plurality of pipe supports. Each of the latter has a fixed seat 128 (Fig. 20) anchored to the top wall 98 and a semicircular clamping member 130 removably secured to the seat 128 for rigidly clamping the manifold 58 against the seat.

Outlet 94 for the ejector 90 discharges into the tank 36 through a double elbow fitting 132 (Figs. 20 and 21) having a base suitably anchored to the top wall 98 and a neck connected to the outlet of the ejector by a short length of hose 134. On the downstream side of the T connection 54, the manifold 58 is provided with a suitable manually operable valve such as a gate valve 136 (Fig. 22) to control flow of fluid thereto from the T connection 54. Preferably an easily detachable coupling 138 (Fig. l) is provided on conduit 50 for quickly connecting or disconnecting this conduit and the inlet side of the T connection 54. The latter side of this connection is preferably equipped with a conventional chain tethered, quickly detachable dust cap 1 (Figs. 2 and 3) for closing the same when the conduit is disconnected therefrom.

A similar cap 142 is provided for the pressure outlet connection 84 on the double elbow 86 and for an inlet connection 144 (Fig. 2) communicating with the suction throat of ejector 90 to close these connections when the conduits 82 and 88 are disconnected therefrom and thus prevent the entry of foreign material into the apparatus along this route. Flow of fluid under pressure from T connection 54 through branch 62 is controlled by a valve 146 similar to valve 136 so that the manifold 58 and double elbow connection 86 may be selectively subjected to fluid under pressure when pump 38 is operating by adjustment of these valves 136 and 146. A standard pressure gauge 148 (Fig. 3) indicates the pressure in the T connection 54 on the upstream side of the valve 136, and therefore, the pressure to which the manifold 58 or branch 62 will be subjected when one or the other of the valves 136, 146 is open while the pump 38 is operating.

"Jerry can cleaning apparatus The valve mechanism previously designated as part of the Jerry can cleaning devices 64 comprises a valve casing 150 (Figs. 4, 8 and 13) having a cylindrical valve chamber 152 formed therein and a base 154 with a flat bottom side and including laterally projecting flanges 156 (Figs. 9 and 13) for receiving bolts 158 fixedly to secure the casing 150 to the top wall 98 of one or the other of the tanks 34 and 36.

A generally elbow-shaped valve member 160 (Fig. 7) has a cylindrical plug-like main body part 162 to fit fluid tight but rockably in the valve chamber 152 and a neck or stub 164 external to the valve chamber and also of cylindrical cross section extending generally normally to the first-mentioned part 162. The stub 164 has an upper end disposed in a diametrical plane. A double elbow shaped through passage or throat 166 in the rockable valve member 160 of generally semi-circular cross section (Fig. 11) opens at one end to the exterior in the upper end of stub 164 and communicates at its other end with a discharge outlet opening 168 (Fig. 8) in the base 154 of valve casing 150 at all positions of angular adjustment of the rockable valve member 160 within a predetermined range.

In addition to the throat passage 166, the valve member 160 is also provided with two elbow shaped passages 170 and 172 (Figs. 7 and 11) of relatively small diameter terminating at one end in separate ports in the flat upper end of stub 164. Passage 170 terminates at its other end in a port 174 (Fig. 7) in the flat vertically extending inner end of the cylindrical main body part 162 of valve member 160, and passage 172 communicates at its other end with the suction inlet to the fluid operable suction generating ejector 72 (Figs. 8 and 13) previously mentioned.

This ejector comprises a venturi tube 176 housed in the larger portion of a variable diameter diametrically extending bore 178 (Fig. 13) in the inner end portion of the main body part 162 of the rockable valve member 160 beyond the inner end of the double elbow passage 166 therein. Tube 176 has a longitudinal passage with an inlet 180, an outlet 182 and an intermediate constricted portion 184 to form a suction throat between the inlet and outlet. The venturi tube 176 is held in position in bore 178 by a jam nut 186 (Fig. 8) so that a diametrical slot 188 (Figs. 16 and 17) adjacent the upper end thereof forming an inlet to the suction throat 184 is maintained in constant communication with the inner end of elbow passage 172 (Fig. 13).

Above the upper end of the venturi tube 176 an inlet chamber 190 is defined in bore 178 which has an inlet port 192 (Fig. 8) in the circular inner end of the main body part 162 of valve member 160. The center of this port is located at the same radial distance from the axis of valve member 160 as the port 174 for elbow passage 170 for a purpose which will be described subsequently.

Inlet chamber 190 is in constant communication with the inlet to venturi tube 176 through a reducing bushing 198 (Fig. 13) seated in a recess in the upper end of the venturi tube, and a port 200 is provided in the base 154 of the valve casing 150 to discharge the venturi tube when and only when the valve member 160 is at or approximately at the tilted position shown in Fig. 13. At such times the reducing bushing 198 forms a constricted inlet to the venturi tube to increase the velocity of the fluid flowing through the suction throat 184 and thus reduce the pressure at the same so that the suction effect is increased. However, when the valve member 160 is turned to close communication between the outlet 182 for the venturi tube 176 and the discharge port 200, the effect of the reducing bushing is nil. Under these circumstances fluid under pressure admitted to the inlet of the venturi tube 176 is free to flow out of the diametrical inlet slot 188 and elbow passage 172 since this slot is in 9 constant communication with the suction throat of the venturi tube and with the inlet to elbow passage 172.

Access is also had to inlet chamber 190 through a threaded bore 194 (Fig. 13) normally closed by a threaded plug 196 so that the port through bushing 108 and the venturi tube 176 may be cleaned by means of a still wire without disassembling the valve mechanism 70. Access is had to the plug 196 and bore 178 through an aperture in the valve casing 150 axially aligned with the bore 178' when the rockable valve member 160 is in evacuating position and closed by a threaded plug 201.

The outer end of the valve chamber 152 is closed by a circular valve plate 202 (Figs. 8, 14 and 15) fixed to the end of valve casing 150 by means of cap screws 204 (Fig. 8) passing through apertures in the valve plate and threaded into registering apertures in an annular radially outwardly projecting flange on the valve casing 150. This plate forms a bearing for an axially extending trunnion 206 rotatably to support one end of rockable valve member 160. Its other end is supported by a trunnion 208 journaled in a bearing 210 fixed to the base 154 of valve casing 150. Both the inner side of the valve plate 202 and the inner cylindrical end of the valve member 160 are machined so that a close fit may be had between these surfaces. They are yieldingly urged into substantially fluid tight abutting engagement by an expansion spring 212 surrounding the exposed end of trunnion 206 and reacting between a thrust bearing 214 on this trunnion seated against the outer side of valve plate 202 and a nut 216 adjustably threaded on the outer end of trunnion 206 and locked in position by a lock nut 218.

In addition to the aperture for passing trunnion 206,

the valve plate 202 has an arcuate passage 220 (Fig. 14) on its inner side substantially 95 degrees in end to end length extending from the upper portion of the first quadrant through the second quadrant when the inner side of the valve plate is viewed as in Fig. 14 and into the third quadrant on an arcuate centerline centered on the axis of the trunnion bearing in this plate and thus centered on the axis of the valve member 160 when the parts are assembled. This arcuate slot or passageway has a radius corresponding to the radial distance between the axis of Valve member 160 and the center of the ports 174 and 192 in the inner end of the valve member 160. Communication may thus be established between this arcuate passage and one or both of these ports depending on the position of angular adjustment of the rockable valve member 160. A port 222 preferably adjacent one end of the arcuate passage 220 communicates with a bore 224 formed in a boss 226 on the outer side of the valve plate 202 into which may be threaded a suitable fitting, such as an elbow 228, for making connection to a fluid conveying line which will be described subsequently.

Rotary rocking movement of the valve member 160 to control communication between the arcuate passage 220 and the ports 174 and 192 on the one hand and between venturi tube outlet 182 and discharge port 200 on the other is limited by a pair of cushioned stops 230 (Fig. 12) arranged to engage the opposite sides of a radially depending fin 232 on the neck of valve member 160 upon predetermined opposite rotary movement thereof. Since the stops 230 are of duplicate construction, only the left one as viewed in Fig. 12 will be described in detail. This stop comprises a bolt 234 extending freely through an aperture in an upstanding lug or boss 236 on the left hand side of the base 154 of valve casing 150. This bolt is urged inwardly relative to the lateral edge of the base 154 by an expansion spring 238. However, such movement is limited by a nut 240 threaded on the outer end of bolt 234 and locked in position by a lock nut 242. Thus the bolt is free to yield slightly when its head is engaged an amount determined by the resistance of the spring 238 which may be varied by adjusting nuts 240 and 242 so that a cushioned stop is provided to limit rocking movement of valve member 160. Since there is a stop on each side of fin 232, rotary movement of the valve member 160 in, either direction is limited.

A fluid tight seal between the several relatively moving or separable parts is insured by use of suitable, packing therebetween. For example, a sealing ring 243 (Fig. 8) is provided between the cylindrical main body part 162 of valve member 160 and the valve chamber 152, and a gasket 244 is interposed between the valve plate 202 and the end of valve casing to which it is secured. Preferably a sealing ring 246 is provided between the trunnion 206 and valve plate 202 while a pair of sealing rings 248 and 250 (Fig. 13) is provided between the venturi tube 176 and bore 178 to prevent leakage from the inlet to the elbow passage 172 and from the diametrical inlet slot 188. The lower ring 248 is nested in a, circumferential groove in the venturi tube 176, while the upper ring is held in position against a, shoulder atthe upper end of the venturi tube by a washer 252 yieldin-gly biased against the upper end of the venturi tube by a compression spring 254 in the upper end of bore 178. Washer- 252 also locks the reducing bushing 198 in the recess. in the upper end of the venturi tube.

Container support and nozzle The nozzle 68 previously mentioned has a base 258 (Figs. 8 and 10) fixedly secured to the flat upper surface of the stub 164 on rockable valve member along the edge or" the inlet to the through passage 166 therein by means of cap screws 260 (Fig. 9). At its free ends, the nozzle 68 terminates in a hook-shaped nose 262 which is tapered to a tip 264 of reduced width. Preferably the nozzle 68 is made from a relatively soft material such as brass to avoid damage to the threads in the inlet opening, of containers when the latter are being placed in or re,- moved from cleaning position.

A longitudinally extending passageway 266 (Fig. 8). in the nozzle 68 communicates at the base of the nozzle with the elbow passageway 170 in the rockable valve 160 and is inclined adjacent its upper end as indicated at 268 in Fig. 10 so that it extends through and opens to the exterior at the uppermost portion of the nose 262. The elbow passageway 172 in rockable valve member 160 communicates with the lower end of a second longitudinal passageway 270 in the nozzle which extends into the tip 264 of the nose 262 and there has branches 272 opening, to the exterior at the lateral edges of the extreme tip 264 of the nose.

Also secured to the flat upper side of the exposed stub 164 of the valve member 160 is the container positioning cradle 66 previously mentioned. This container positioner includes a sump 274 (Fig. 5) having opposite side, walls 276 (Fig. 4), front and rear walls 278 and 280 respectively convergingly inclined toward the nozzle 68 and a. bottom Wall 282. The upper edges of the front, rear, and side walls may be spun inwardly as shown at 284 in Fig. 4, and the Walls are dimensioned and conformed to define a mouth for receiving the upper endv of the container to be cleaned and particularly the area surround-v ing the filling opening therein. The position of a Jerry can with respect to the mouth, of the cradle 66 is shown by way of example in Fig. 5.

Hinged at one of its ends to a flange 286 fixed on the inner side of front wall 278 of the sump 274 is a floating member 288 which forms a false bottom. This false bottom has an upwardly turned rear wall 290 terminating in a rebent portion 292 and a depending end 294. It also has a relatively large aperture 296 (Figs. 2 and 5), through which nozzle 68 extends, and it is urged outwardly or upwardly of the bottom 282 of the sump by resilient means such as an expansion spring 298surrounding the lower end of the nozzle 68. Outward movement of the false bottom 288 under the influence of spring 298 is limited by engagement of the rebent portion 292 against a stop formed by the inwardly spun portions-284 on the side walls 276 while the inwardly spun upper edge of the 11 rear wall 280 forms a stop to limit downward movement of the free end of the false bottom 288.

The cradle thus formed is removably fixed to the stub or neck 164 of valve member 160 by a clamping collar 300 having a flange 302 fixed to the central part of the underside of bottom wall 282 by means of rivets or the like and a second flange 304 embracing the stub 164. This latter flange is split at 306 (Fig. 8) so that it may be firmly clamped to the stub by tightening cap screws 308. A sealing ring 310 (Fig. 8) preferably is provided between the stub 164 and the collar 3% to form a fluid tight union between these parts, and a gasket 312 is interposed between the bottom wall 282 and the flange 302 and upper end of stub 164.

Due to the taper of the front and rear walls 278 and 280 respectively in the sump 274 and the rounded lower ends of the side walls 276, liquid draining into the sump is directed towards an aperture 314 in the bottom wall 282 registering with the inlet to the drain passage 166 in rockable valve member 160 which thus receives any liquid draining into the sump 274 and directs the same to the outlet 168 in the base of valve casing 150.

This completes the description of the construction of a Jerry can cleaning device 64. Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, it will be noted that five of these units are mounted on the top wall 98 of each of the tanks 34 and 36 disposed in aligned relation longitudinally of the tanks adjacent the edges thereof which will be contiguous when the apparatus is set up for use and with the rear walls 280 of the container positioning cradles 66 facing toward the contiguous edges.

To accommodate for its five Jerry can cleaning devices, the top wall 98 of tank 36 has five series of apertures to provide five outlet openings for registering with the discharge outlet openings 163 in the bases of the valve casings 150 mounted on this tank. These apertures, two of which are shown at 316 in Fig. 21, register with the discharge outlet 168 in the base of a valve casing 150 as shown in Fig. 8 and they are arranged properly to space the valve casings 150 along the top wall of tank 36. In addition to the apertures 316, the top wall 98 of tank 36 is provided with apertures to register with the venturi discharge outlet ports 200. Two of these apertures are shown at 318 in Fig. 21, along with a series of apertures 320 through which pass the anchor bolts 158 for fastening the bases of the valve casings 150 to the top wall 98 of tank 36. Tank 34 is similarly constructed.

From the above description it will be noted that a drain is provided from the sump 274 in each Jerry can cleaning device 64 on the tank 36 back to this tank. This drain extends through the double elbow drain passage 166 (Fig. 8) in the rockable valve member 169 upon which the respective sump is mounted and into the tank 36 through the registering discharge outlet openings 168 and 316 in the valve casing 150 and top wall 98 respectively which register with the respective double elbow drain passage 166. It will also be apparent that the suction generating ejectors 72 in the Jerry can cleaning devices on tank 36 likewise discharge into this tank through discharge ports 200 (Fig. 13) in the respective valve casings 150 on the tank and thence through apertures 318 in its top wall. Means similar to that described above is provided to discharge into the tank 34 the Jerry? can cleaning devices 64 in the unit 30.

The valve mechanisms '70 on tank 36 are connected to the fluid under pressure in the manifold 58 by feed pipes 322 (Figs. 2 and 3). At one end these pipes are coupled to the elbows 228 on the valve mechanism 70 in the respective Jerry can cleaning devices 64 secured on tank 36, and on the other they are connected to spaced elbow fittings 324 communicating with the manifold 58. Thus,

whenever fluid under pressure is admitted to the manifold 58, it will be admitted to the arcuate passages 220 in the respective valve plates 202(Fig. 14) in each of the Jerry can cleaning devices on tank 36. The same action oc- Drum cleaning apparatus As previously explained, the drum cleaning mechanism comprises a pair of duplicate discharging and evacuating nozzles 78 and 80, each of which has concentrically arranged tubes including a non-perforated inner tube 326 (Fig. 19) and an outer perforated tube 328. The inner tube 326 is provided with a tapered suction tip 330 on its free end which has a reduced portion over which the free end of the outer tube 328 is snugly fitted. These parts are fixed against separation by cap screws, one of which is shown at 332, and there is thus formed the previouslymentioned isolated suction passage indicated at 334 and a pressure passage 336 which is of annular cross section.

At their opposite ends, the tubes 326 and 328 are fixed in a suitable head 338 (Figs. 1 and 18) which has separate isolated passages (not shown) communicating respectively with the inner suction passage 334 and the outer pressure passage 336. The suction passage in the head on nozzle 80 has an external connection 340 coupled to one end of the flexible conduit 88 which communicates at its other end with the suction throat of the ejector 90 on tank 36, while the pressure passage in this head has an external connection 342 coupled to one end of flexible conduit 82. The latter is connected at its other end to the outlet connection 92 of double elbow fitting 86 fed from the branch 62 (Figs. 1 and 2) on tank 36. Thus, the suction passage 334 is subjected to the suction generated by the ejector 90 on tank 36, and the annular pressure passage 336 to fluid under pressure when fluid under pressure is directed into branch 62 on this tank. Outer tube 328 has a plurality of perforations 344 arranged in a predetermined manner so as to facilitate direction of fluid under pressure against all of the interior surfaces of the container 96.

Preferably the head 338 is formed to provide a handgrip 346 (Fig. 18) facilitating manipulation of the nozzle 80. The flow of fluid under pressure from conduit 82 to pressure passage 336 is controlled by a valve (not shown) operated by a trigger 348 associated with the handgrip 346. Only one hand therefore is needed to manipulate the nozzle 78 or 80 and to control the volume of liquid flowing through the pressure passage 336 therein, and thereby incidentally to control the suction generated since the flow through the ejector 90 and hence the suction generated is inversely proportional to the flow through the pressure passage 336. The operator therefore has complete control over the relative values of the suction and pressure applied to the nozzle 80. For example, after trigger 348 is operated to cut off the flow of fluid under pressure to the pressure passage 336, the full pressure of the fluid delivered to branch 62 is expended in generating suction so that the latter is at a maximum. This state of affairs is brought about when it is desired completely to evacuate a drum after it has been flushed. For the convenience of an operator, a conventional graduated latching means (not shown) may be provided releasably to lock trigger 348 at predetermined positions so that constant attention to the nozzle is not required.

The tubes 326 and 328 in nozzle 80 are of suflicient length so that the nozzle may be inserted in a bunghole or filling opening 350 in the top end or head of a container such as the drum 96 shown in Fig. 18 at that angle to the vertical necessary to locate the suction tip 330 at the peripheral edge of the bottom of the drum on the side opposite the filling opening 350. For example, a 40- inch nozzle has been found to be of sufficient length in cleaning the 55 gallon drums used by the Armed Forces. This provides several inches of pipe to project outwardly from the filling opening 350.

Fixed'to the portion of the nozzle 80 which projects from the filling opening 350 is a shield or cap 352 dis posed in a plane oblique to the axis of the tubes 326 and 328 so as to cover the filling Opening 350 in the drum or like container 96 which is being cleaned when the nozzle is inserted into the drum at the angle mentioned above.

The nozzle 78 is similar in construction to the nozzle 8tl a'nd is connected to be operated from tank 34 in'the same manner as nozzle 80 is connected to tank 36. This completes the description of the drum cleaning apparatus. Certain elements of the invention utilized in the operation of both the Jerry can and drum cleaning apparatus will now be described.

Elements common to the drum cleaning and Jerry can cleaning apparatus In order partially to purify the cleaning fluid returned to the tanks 34 and 36 through apertures 316 and 318 therein (Fig. 21) and through the connection 132 basket strainers, one of which is shown at 354 in Figs. 20 and 22 are provided in each of the two compartments into which the tanks are divided. These strainers are of rectangular generally box-like shape and are made, for example,- from 40 mesh wire screen. Strainer 354 has an open, generally rectangular frame of angle iron members 356 (Fig. 22). The upper edge of this strainer is fixed to depending flanges on the frame 356 which frame also has horizontal outwardly extending flanges 358 at least along its ends.

These horizontal flanges rest upon slides 360 depend irig from the underside of the top walls 98 of the tank 36 transversely thereof. By virtue of this suspension of the strainer 354, it is slidable on the slides 360 between a position at which it receives the fluid emptied into tank 36 through apertures 316 and 318 as indicated in Fig. 20 and a position at which it is accessible and may be re" moved through the opening in the top wall of this tank closed by a hatch 120 to facilitate cleaning thereof. A similar strainer similarly mounted is provided in each of the compartments in the tanks 34 and 36.

Partial purification of the cleaning fluid is also assisted by a pair of baflles in each compartment of each of the tanks 34 and 36. One pair of these baflles in the tank 36 is indicated at 362 and 364 in Fig. 20. Baffle 362 has a lower edge spaced upwardly from the bottom of tank 36, while the lower edge of baflie 364 seals against the bottom of the tank, and its upper edge terminates short of the top edge of baflie 362. As a result fluid draining into this tank from the strainers 354 flows under baffles 362 and over the top edge of baflles 364 into the space in the tanks from which cleaning fluid is drawn by the pump 38. Sedimentation of the heavier foreign materials in the cleaning fluid draining into the tank therefore is effected in the space in the tanks set oil by the baflles 364.

Cleaning fluid is withdrawn from the tanks 34 and 36 by the pump 38 through an outlet connection; that for the tank 36 being shown at 366 (Fig. 22). This outlet connection comprises a depending conduit having an inlet adjacent the bottom of the tank 36 covered by a strainer 368 of suitable wire mesh. A similar outlet connection is provided for the tank 34.

The pump 38 may be of any suitable type such as a centrifugal pump, and should be sufficient capacity when operated at optimum speed to pump approximately 50 gallons of fluid per minute and to maintain a pressure of approximately 30 pounds per square inch when all of the fluid discharging nozzles 68 and 78 and 80 are inoperative and approximately 18 pounds per square inch per manifold when four Jerry can cleaning devices 64 on each tank are operative. It may be driven by a suitable motor such as a gasoline engine (not shown).

Variations in the level of the fluid in the two tanks 34 and 36 when the apparatus, connected as shown in Fig.

14 I, is "use is avoided; whateverits cause by a butterfly valve (Figs, 22'to' 24) in-the inlet to each outlet connection 366. These valves eachcomprise a disc 370 (Fig. 24) mounted upon'a crank 372 rockably journaled in a collar or sleeve 374 fixed in the lower end of the out let conduit 366. The crank 372 includes an elongated float a'rrn376 exter'nal'to'the sleeve 374 to which a float 3'78issecured'that is responsive tothe' level of the liquid ina tank 'soas progressively to move the valve 370 toward closed positionin response to a drop in'th'e level of the liquid in the tank thus progressively reducing the volume of fluidwithdrawn' through the outlet'connection 366.

When a tank is' empty, the float arm 376 for the float valve located therein c'omes to rest upon a boss 380 on the sleeve 374.

For thepurpose of convenient storing of the nozzles 78' and'Stl and the flexible conduits 82 and 88 attached thereto, each tank 34 and 36 is provided with a pair of brackets 382 (Fig. 2) on one of its side walls for receiving thebody of the nozzle 78 or associated therewith. At the rear ofthe tank 36,-a pair of compartments is provided. Compartment'384 should be large enough to" receive the two flexible conduits82, 88, attached to the nozzle 80 supported in brackets 382 when they are coiled.- The other compartment 386-provides space for accessories such as a fire extinguisher (not shown). Similar compaitrnent's are providedori the tank 34.

When thedevice is not in use, the small compartment in each of the tanks 34' and 36 provides storage space for one ofi the fl'exib'le conduits normally used as a branch 40*or 42 while the larger compartment in each tank pro vides storage space for the five cradles 66 mounted on that t'ahk when the cradles are removed from the necks of valve members 160'by looseiiin'g cap screws 308. This facilitates 'coir'ipact stera 'e of the device since it permits verac'arstaciaag-or the urii'ts'byresti'ng the skids 102 of oneunit upon the bails or'stacking rails 116 ofthe next lower unit.

Operation I Iii'the' normaloperation of'the device, two tanks 34 and 36 are used oriented as shewn' in Fig. 1 because the apparatus when so organized can be expeditiously handled by a si-ii-gle operator; The tanks preferably are placed at an angle of approximately 60 degrees and approximately rear feet 'apart 'at their closest point. The inlet conduits 40, 42,46 a'iid'the outlet conduits 48, 50 connecting pump 38 mine tanks 34 and" 36 should be of sufficient length so that the pump may be placed at least 50 feet from the tanks when the parts are connected as shown in Fig. 1. This reduces the fire hazard when inflammable cleaning fluid is used. I A

After the tanks 34 and have been properly positioned and leveled, they each are filled with a cleaning fluid, such as 'gasoline or kerosene, preferably to a point approximately twoinches below the top'edge of baffle 362. Preferably the dimensions of the tanks 34 and 36 are such that approximately gallons of fluid is required for this purpose for each tank. Before initiating operation of the pump 38, valves 136 and 146 should be closed and before cleaning is attempted a pressure of approximately 30 pounds per square inch should be built up at To clean 5 gallon Jerry cans, the container positioning' cradles 66 on the two tanks 34 and 36 are first shiftedtoward s'uctidn position. This constitutes the off positio'n'o'f these devices. From a consideration of Figs. 8 and 14, it willbe apparent that the arcuate passage 220 in valve plate 202 on the valve mechanisms 70 in each of the units 30 and 32 extends toward the operator stationed between thetanks 34 and 36 when they are arranged as shown in. Fig. 1. These arcuate passages extend from the first quadrant through the second quadrant as previously explained, while the inlet ports 174 and 192- in the inner end--of themain. body. part 162 of rockable valve member 160 leading to the elbow passage 170 and venturi inlet chamber 190 respectively, are centered radially outwardly of the axis of valve member 162, a distance corresponding to the radius of the centerline of arcuate passage 220.

Furthermore the inlet ports 174 and 192 are spaced approximately 90 from each other so that both will communicate with arcuate passage 220 when valve member 160 is moved away from the operator to the limit permitted by stops 230 (Fig. whereas communication between the inlet port 174 and arcuate passage 220 is cut off when the rockable valve member 160 is rocked toward the operator to the limit of the movement permitted by stops 230, but inlet port 192 remains in communication with arcuate passage 220. In addition, it is to be noted that at this limit of movement of valve member 160, the outlet 182 for the venturi tube 176 communicates with its discharge outlet port 200 (Fig. 13).

At this position of the valve member 160, communication between the arcuate passage 220 and the space in the tank 36 above strainer 354 is thus established through inlet port 192 (Fig. 8) inlet chamber 190 (Fig, 13) bushing 198, venturi inlet 180, suction throat 184, outlet 182 and discharge outlets 200 and 318 back to the tank 36. When the valve member 160 is in this position, fluid under pressure admitted to the manifold 58 will follow this circuit back to the tank 36. The venturi tubes 176 will thus be rendered operative to generate suction which will be applied to the opposite sides of the tips 264 of nozzle 68 through diametrical inlet slot 188, elbow passage 172 (Fig. 9), nozzle passage 270 (Fig. 8) and branch passages 272. The off position of the device herein disclosed therefore, as a matter of fact, is its suction position. However, the suction performs no function at this period in a cleaning operation. Once the cradles 66 have all been rocked to the ofi? position above described, gate valves 136 may be opened to subject manifolds 56 and 58 to the pressure generated by the pump 38.

Jerry cans normally have a filling opening 388 in a slightly inclined portion of their top wall adjacent one end thereof as shown in Figs. 5 and 6. These filling openings may be formed in various ways but for Jerry cans used in the transportation of petroleum products, a screw type closure is used, and therefore, a threaded collar normally is provided to define this filling opening. The inner end of this collar normally forms an inwardly projecting ridge 390 on the innerside of the container 74 defining a barrier that traps a residual portion of fluid in a container even when the latter is inverted, thus preventing complete gravitational draining of the container.

To station a Jerry can 74 (Fig. 5) in cleaning position, it is presented to a positioning cradle 66 in substantially inverted position with its filling opening 388 toward the operator so that the nozzle 68 will extend into the filling opening when the container is lowered onto the spring biased false bottom 288. The container and false bottom 288 on which it rests are then depressed sufficiently to bring the tip 264 of the nose on the nozzle beyond the inner edge 390 of the filling opening 388, whereupon the container is rocked or shifted toward the front wall 278 of the cradle. Thereafter, upon slow release of the downward force on the container, it will be lifted by the action of expansion spring 298 on the false bottom 288 until the nose 262 on the nozzle 68 hooks behind the ridge 390 and its tip 264 extends into pocket 76. The continued upward force on the container 74 after it hooks upon the nozzel 68 tends to shift the container upon the nose 262 until the portion of the body of the container opposite the front wall 278 of cradle 66 is brought into firm steadying engagement with this wall. Thus the container is positioned against the nozzle 68 and a fixed means comprising the front wall 278 of the cradle 66 at which position it is rigidly but releasably held by the upper rebent edge 292 of the yieldable false bottom 288 when rockable valve member 160 is rocked. The positioning cradle 66 and movable valve member 160 thus Cir cooperate to support a container for movement between the suction or evacuating position just described and a flushing position to be described. The biasing spring 298 should be sufiiciently resistant so that the cradle 66 and valve member may be rocked between the suction or off position of the latter shown in Fig. 6 and the flushing position shown in full lines in Fig. 5 by pushing or pulling on a supported container 74.

Since the Jerry can cleaning devices 64 are duplicates in construction and operation, it is believed that a description of the operation of one of these devices mounted on tank 36 will be sufficient, reference being had to Figs. 4 to 17 for this purpose. After the cradle 66 in the device in question is loaded as above described, it is rocked away from the operator to move the container 74 supported thereon to the substantially upright position shown in Fig. 5. This rocks the rockable valve member 160 to a position at which the inlet ports 174 and 192 in the circular inner end thereof are brought into communication with the arcuate passage 220 in the valve plate 202, but the outlet 182 for venturi tube 176 will be cut off from the communication with its discharge outlet port 200 as shown in Fig. 8. This also will be apparent from Fig. 13, if it be assumed that the valve member 160 is at that position at which the neck 164 and venturi tube 176 are substantially upright, instead of at the tilted position in which they are shown in this view.

In view of the fact that the arcuate passage 220 in the Jerry can cleaning device in question is in constant communication with the fluid under pressure in manifold 58 through feed pipe 322, fluid under pressure will be admitted from the arcuate passage to both elbow passages and 172 when the valve member 160 is in the aforesaid position. Passage 170 receives fluid directly from arcuate passage 220, but passage 172 receives it by a reverse flow of the fluid through at least a portion of the ejector 72 due to the fact that the discharge for the venturi tube 176 is then cut oif while the inlet port 192 remains in communication with arcuate passage 220. Fluid under pressure from this latter passage then will flow through inlet port 192 into inlet chamber 190 and through bushing 198, the inlet 180 to the venturi tube 176 and the diametrical inlet slot 188 for the suction throat of the venturi tube to elbow passage 172. Thus fluid under pressure will be sprayed against the interior of the container 74 through both passages in nozzle 68 at this the flushing position of valve member 160.

Most of the fluid discharged into the container 74 will drain gravitationally through filling opening 388 (Fig. 5) into cradle 66 and from the cradle through the double elbow drain passage 166 in rockable valve member 160 into strainer 354 (Fig. 22). However, a small amount of fluid will be trapped in the pocket 76 (Fig. 5) along with a small amount of foreign materials which may have been present in the container, such as sand and grit. Since the tip 264 of the nozzle 68 extends into the pocket 76, this residual fluid and foreign material is withdrawn by applying suction to the tip of nozzle 68.

Application of suction to the nozzle tip is initiated by rocking the cradle 66 toward the operator to the previously described off or suction position shown in Fig. 6. At this position the pocket 76 is lowermost so that residual cleaning fluid and foreign material collects there. The suction generated when the parts are in this position in the manner previously. described is applied to the pocket 76 through branch passages 272 is already explained. Residual cleaning fluid and foreign material therefore are sucked out of the pocket 76.

Preferably the discharge port 280 for Venturi tube 176 and the inlet port 174 for elbow pressure passage 170 are so arranged that the inlet port 174 is completely cut otf from communication with the arcuate passage 200 before the outlet 182 for the Venturi tube and its discharge port start to communicate, but this is not essential. All that is required is that it be possible completely to cut 17 off the application of fluid under pressure to the nozzle 68 at some position at which the suction generating means 72 is effective. In the device shown the rockable valve member 160 is rocked a total of approximately 25 beween flushing and evacuating positions. If desired, the inlet ports to pressure passage 170 and venturi inlet chamber 190 in conjunction with arcuate passage 220 may be so arranged that at a certain position of the valve member 160 both the pressure passage 170 and venturi inlet chamber 190 are cut off from communication with the arcuate passage 220.

In practice, it has been found that containers normally will be cleaned when subjected to approximately 40 seconds of flushing and approximately six seconds of suction. In the event a container is not cleaned in one operation, it may be subjected to a second or third cleaning operation. Systems or methods of operation may be followed by an operator to assure flushing and evacuating for the intervals suggested or for such other intervals as may be considered appropriate without the use of timing devices which systems or methods may depend, for example, upon the time it takes to unload a station and re-load it or a certain number of stations. By the use of proper methods of operation up to ten gallon cans may be cleaned per minute where the total contamination approximates three ounces of foreign material.

To clean 55 gallon drums the valves 136 are closed and the valves 146 opened so that fluid under pressure discharged by the pump 38 flows into the double elbow connections 86, thus conditioning the apparatus for cleaning 55 gallon drums. Two drums 96 to be cleaned are stationed upright in relatively close proximity at a position easily reached by the nozzles 78 and 80 and with their filling openings or bunghol'es 350 open and on the operators side of the drums. Describing the operation as carried out in the use of nozzle 80 and assuming this nozzle has been inserted in the bunghole of drum 96 (Fig. 18) the latter may be tilted on its lower edge opposite the bunghole to an angle of approximately 45 degrees and the drum then rocked or rotated while it is being sprayed or flushed so as to make certain that the entire inner surface of the drum is subjected to a spray of cleaning fluid. During spraying the trigger 348 preferably is set fully to open the valve in the head 338 leading to pressure passage 336.

ince some of the fluid under pressure entering double elbow 86 (Fig. 2) will pass through elbow 92 and ejector 90 back to the tank 36, suction will be generated and will be applied to the suction passage 334 in the nozzle 80 through conduit 88. As a result some of the cleaning fluid sprayed into the drum 96 will be withdrawn while the fluid is in turbulent condition and thus has foreign material, such as non-buoyant sand and grit suspended therein. At least some of this material will therefore be drawn out with the cleaning fluid during flushing of a container.

After a suitable interval of flushing, for example, 40 seconds, the trigger 348 is operated to discontinue the flow of fluid under pressure to the nozzle '80. Maximum suction will then be applied to the nozzle 80 because the entire capacity of branch 62 will then flow through the ejector 99. This suction should be continued for a sufficient interval completely to evacuate the drum, which interval should not exceed to seconds. All but the final interval of suction may occur while the drum 96 is in upright position so that the operator is free to operate on the second drum. However, in order to remove the residual fluid and foreign material from the drum, it will be necessary to tilt the drum as before described so that a lowermost region defining a fluid collecting pocket is established around the suction tip 330 on nozzle 3?. By the method of operation described above, an average of two drums per minute can be cleaned by a competent operator.

in the event excessively contaminated cans or drums are encountered, the total output of the pump 38 may be utilized to operate one cleaning unit; for example, unit 32 in Fig. 1. This is accomplished by closing a gate valve 392 in the outlet connection 366 for the tank 34 and the gate valves 136 and 146 controlling flow of fluid to the branch connection 60 and manifold 56 respectively. The pressure which is generated by the pump 38 is therefore applied solely to the unit 32 so that the streams of cleaning fluid sprayed from the nozzle 68 or are of much greater velocity and therefore more effective in dislodging foreign material from the containers being cleaned. The suction which it is possible to create is likewise of much higher value.

From the above description of the construction and operation of the improved cleaning apparatus of the present invention, its many advantages will be apparent. It will be noted that both the commencement of the spraying and the commencement of evacuation of a container are under the complete control of the operator of the device and that a minimum of manual operations need be performed in stationing either a 5 gallon can or a 55 gallon drum for cleaning. Furthermore, once a spraying or an evacuating operation is commenced on a container, it may be continued for an interval under the entire control of the operator. Because of the relatively few manual operations required, the device may be operated by a single operator using duplicate units 30 and 32 in combination.

Since these units are of compact construction, they may be packed relatively compactly so that a minimum of space is occupied thereby in storage or in transportation. In storage, units such as the unit 30 may be stacked one upon the other after the cradles 66 have been removed therefrom and placed in the larger compartment of tank 34 because the stacking rails 116 will maintain the units in vertical spaced relation. The fact that the units may be stacked relatively compactly is of particular importance insofar as the suitability of the device for use by the Armed Forces is concerned as is the fact that the device is sturdy in construction due to the elimination of relatively delicate parts therefrom. Moreover, the various sub-assemblies therein such as the cradle 66, valve mechanism 70 or nozzles 68, 78 may readily be replaced as a unit when they become worn or damaged in other respects. This facilitates maintenance and repair and reduces the cost of the apparatus.

Another advantage of the device of the present invention is the conservation of cleaning fluid which is possible in its use. In the first place, spent cleaning fluid is returned to the reservoirs 34 and 36 and then reused but before being reused, it is at least partially purified by the action of strainers 354 and baflles 362 and 364 so that its effectiveness as a cleaning agent is almost completely restored each time the fluid completes a cycle through the apparatus.

While the machine disclosed herein is designed particularly for cleaning cylindrical 55 gallon drums and generally rectangular 5 gallon Jerry cans of the type used by the Armed Forces in the field, it is to be understood that a cleaning nozzle similar to drum cleaning nozzles 78 and 80 but varying in length therefrom and in the angle at which the shield 352 is attached thereto to adapt it for use on containers other than 55 gallon drums could readily be constructed. Li cewise, supporting cradles similar to cradles 66 but designed to receive containers of shapes differing from the shape of Jerry cans readily could be constructed to operate in the same man.- ner as cradles 66. The same is true of a nozzle suitable for reception in these other types of containers and such other parts as might require modification. For these reasons the specific machine described herein is to be considered exemplary and While it is a preferred embodiment of the invention, it will be apparent that numerous variations and modifications thereof may be made without departing from the underlying principles of the invention.

19 It is desired, therefore, by the following claims to include within the scope of the invention, all such variations and modifications by which substantially the results of the invention may be obtained through the use of substantially the same or equivalent means.

We claim:

1. Container flushing apparatus comprising a source of flushing fluid under pressure, fluid pressure operable suction generating means, fluid discharging and evacuating means, means for rigidly but releasably holding a container in operative relation with the discharging and evacuating means and cooperating means to move a container in said holding means between predetermined flushing and evacuating positions and to apply fluid under pressure from the source to the discharging and evacuating means to flush the said container or to the suction generating means to render the latter operative to evacuate the said container including valve means movable in response to movement of the said container between said predetermined positions to render said valve means operative to direct fluid under pressure in the selective manner aforesaid when the said container has been moved to the said flushing or evacuating positions, respectively.

2. Container flushing apparatus comprising a source of flushing fluid under pressure, fluid pressure operable suction generating means, fluid discharging and evacuating means, means for rigidly but releasably holding a container in operative relation with the discharging and evacuating means and cooperating means to move a container in said holding means between predetermined flushing and evacuating positions and to apply fluid under pressure respectively to the discharging and evacuating means to flush the container or to said suction generating means to render the latter eflective to evacuate the said container including valve means operable in response to movement of the said container between the said predetermined flushing and evacuating positions and means controlled by said valve means for interconnecting said source, suction generating means and discharging and evacuating means.

3. Container flushing apparatus comprising a source of flushing fluid under pressure, fluid pressure operable suction generating means, fluid discharging and evacuating means, means for rigidly but releasably holding a container in operative relation with the discharging and evacuating means and means for moving a container in said holding means between predetermined flushing and evacuating positions including relatively movable members having passages and ports formed therein to apply fluid under pressure from the source to the discharging and evacuating means when the said container is supported at flushing position and to render the suction generating means operative to evacuate the said container when the latter is supported at evacuation position including passages and ports to return spent fluid to the source.

4. Container flushing apparatus comprising a source of flushing fluid under pressure, a fluid pressure operable ejector, a nozzle in constant communication with the suction inlet of said ejector, and cooperating means to support a container for movement between predetermined flushing and evacuating positions including means rigidly but releasably to position a container to be cleaned in operative relation with the nozzle and valve means operable through a predetermined range in response to movement of a supported container between said predetermined positions, said valve means having a plurality of passages and ports to subject the fluid inlet to the ejector to fluid under pressure throughout the predetermined range of movement of said valve means and a part with a port formed therein to provide a discharge outlet for the ejector when said valve means is in a limited portion of its predetermined range of movement, said part closing the outlet of said ejector without materially reducing the capacity of the ejector to deliver fluid under pressure to the nozzle through at least a portion of the ejector when said 20 valve means is in portions of its predetermined range of movement other than said limited portion.

5. Container flushing apparatus comprising a source of fluid under pressure, fluid pressure operable suction generating means, and cooperating means to support a container for movement to and from a position at which a fluid collecting pocket is established therein including a fluid discharging and evacuating nozzle having a body adapted to be received in said container and a tip, positioning means rigidly but releasably to hold a container in operative discharging and evacuating relation with the body of the nozzle oriented to maintain constant communication between the pocket therein and the nozzle tip, and valve means having passages and ports to apply the fluid under pressure from said source to the suction generating means and the resultant suction to the tip of the nozzle when a supported container is moved to the position establishing a fluid collecting pocket therein.

6. Apparatus for flushing the interior of containers having a filling aperture in one end thereof comprising a source of fluid under pressure, fluid pressure operable suction generating means, and cooperating means to support a container apertured end downturned for movement to and from an evacuating position at which a lowermost region is established therein defining a fluid collecting pocket including a fluid discharging and evacuating nozzle having a body with a hook shaped nose on the free end thereof adapted to be received in a container and a tip, means for positioning a container apertured end downturned releasably to hook the periphery of the opening therein against the nose of the nozzle and to hold the container positioned to maintain communication between the pocket therein and the said tip of the nozzle and valve means including ports and passages to apply fluid under pressure from said source to the suction generating means and the resultant suction to the tip of the nozzle when the said container is supported at evacuating position.

7. Container flushing apparatus comprising a source of fluid under pressure, fluid pressure operable suction generating means, and cooperating means movably to support a container to be cleaned including a fluid discharging and evacuating nozzle, means for rigidly but releasably holding a container in operative relation with the nozzle throughout the range said container is movable by said cooperating means and valve means including ports and passages to apply fluid under pressure from said source to the nozzle when a supported container is in one portion of the range through which it is movable by said cooperating means and to the suction generating means when the said container is moved to another portion of the range through which it is movable by said cooperating means including ports and passages to apply generated suction to the tip of the nozzle.

8. Container flushing apparatus comprising a source of fluid under pressure, fluid pressure operable suction generating means, cooperating means to support a container for movement between a position at which flushing is facilitated and an evacuating position at which a fluid collecting pocket is established therein including a fluid discharging and evacuating nozzle having a body adapted to be received in a container and a tip, means for positioning a container rigidly but releasably to bring the same into operative relation with the body of the nozzle and oriented to maintain communication between the pocket therein and the nozzle tip and valve means including a rockable member, said valve means having a plurality of ports and passages to apply fluid under pressure from said source to the nozzle when a supported container is supported at flushing position and to the suction generating means when the said container is supported at evacuating position including ports and passages to apply the resultant suction to the tip of the nozzle, and cooperating resilient and fixed means on the rockable valve member and a fixed part of the apparatus to deter- 

